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When Islands of Adventure opened its gates in 1999, Seuss Landing stood out as its primary land built entirely for younger guests. Whimsical, vibrant, and filled with curved lines and storybook references, it offered a playful counterpoint to the thrill rides found elsewhere in the park. More than two decades later, much of that spirit remains intact – even if it’s in desperate need of some TLC.
The area, themed around the works of Dr. Seuss, is still a visual standout. Attractions such as The Cat in the Hat dark ride and the elevated High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride! continue to draw families. Its design – which is intentionally free of straight lines or sharp corners, and even features curved trees skewed by a hurricane – remains one of the most distinctive architectural choices in any Orlando theme park.
Credit: Universal Orlando Resort
Maintenance Falls Short at Universal Orlando Resort’s Seuss Landing
Though Universal Orlando has carried out multiple rounds of maintenance over the years, including a full repaint in 2022 and refurbishments to key attractions, signs of aging persist. Guests have reported structural wear, including chipped paint and random holes in the pillars near the entryway.
The Green Eggs and Ham sign, which returned from refurbishment last November, vanished again in January and has yet to reappear.
Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous, the Caro-Seuss-el, and the If I Ran the Zoo play area have all undergone updates. But even with those efforts, the land’s overall appearance often draws unfavorable comparisons to newer and more meticulously maintained areas across Universal’s parks. In 2025, those differences are more visible than ever, especially with the resort’s upcoming Epic Universe expansion showcasing what Universal’s next era looks like.
Credit: Universal Orlando Resort
While neighboring lands like Jurassic Park have been enhanced with new attractions such as VelociCoaster, Seuss Landing has seen no new rides or major thematic changes in decades. For some parkgoers, that has added to its nostalgic charm. For others, it signals neglect.
Cultural Concerns Remain Unresolved
In March 2021, Dr. Seuss Enterprises announced it would discontinue six books, citing “portrayals of people in ways that are hurtful and wrong.” The move sparked widespread discussion, and Universal quickly responded with a public statement.
“Seuss Landing continues to be very popular with our guests and we value our relationship with Seuss Enterprises,” the company said. “We’ve removed the books from our shelves as they have asked and we’ll be evaluating our in-park experience too.”
Credit: Universal Orlando Resort
Despite that promise, references to some of the discontinued titles remain throughout the land. The If I Ran the Zoo playground, based on one of the retired books, is still in operation. Portions of the High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride! and the Mulberry Street Store feature elements from “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street,” which was also pulled from circulation.
Universal has not announced any changes to these areas, nor has it confirmed whether a long-term reimagining of the land is under consideration.
